SEARCY – Senior outfielder Carolyn Clayton knocked in three RBIs for Harding on Sunday as the softball team split with Northwestern Oklahoma in Great American Conference action on Sunday. The Rangers won the first game 7-1 but the Lady Bisons bounced back to win the second game 8-6.
Harding improves to 9-19 overall and 4-10 in the GAC. Northwestern Oklahoma moves to 14-17 overall and 9-11 in the GAC.
GAME ONE
Northwestern Oklahoma scored three runs in the first inning and held Harding to only one run as the Rangers took game one of the series 7-1.
Northwestern Oklahoma scored three runs on one hit and one error in the first inning to lead 3-0. The Rangers scored one more run in the second, then tacked on two more in the third and scored a run in the fourth.
The Rangers hit two homers in the game. Allora Miller hit a three-run homer down the left field line in the first and Jordan Haya hit a solo homer to left in the fourth.
Harding's only run in the game came in the sixth inning when Carolyn Clayton hit her fifth homerun of the season to left field.
Brookelynn Moon and Amanda Berdon both had two hits in the game for the Lady Bisons.
Allora Miller got the win for Northwestern Oklahoma improving her record to 8-5 on the season. Amber Rollins got the loss for Harding, pitching two innings and she gave up six runs. Danielle Hubbard pitched three innings in relief for the Lady Bisons and Taylor Friend pitched two scoreless innings.
GAME TWO
Harding overcame a 4-2 deficit scoring five runs in the last three innings to win 8-6.
Northwestern Oklahoma got on the board first in the top of the first on two hits and a Harding error.
The Lady Bisons answered back with two runs in the second. Marley Edwards hit a double to center field that scored in Carolyn Clayton and then Edwards came around and stole home.
The Rangers took a 4-2 lead in the fourth led by Coody's two run homer to left center field.
Harding answered back with three runs in the bottom of the inning on three hits. With the bases loaded Courtney Derrick hit a bases clearing double to give the Lady Bisons the 5-4 lead.
The Lady Bisons got two more insurance runs in the fifth when Clayton hit a two RBI double to left field.
Harding tacked on another run in the sixth when Jessica Greene scored on a wild pitch.
Trailing 8-4, Northwestern Oklahoma made pulled within two after a McGraw two run homer to left field.
Amber Rollins got the win for Harding pitching three innings in relief for Lady Bison starter Danielle Hubbard. Rollins gave up two runs and struck out a batter. Hubbard pitched four innings, giving up four hits and three earned runs.
The two teams will wrap up their series on Monday in a doubleheader that starts at 1 p.m.
